Winter Car Survival Kit

Do you have your Winter Car Survival Kit ready?

With Christmas being just a few days away now, many of you will be headed out on long road trips to visit relatives and friends so we wanted to share this information with you on having a winter survival kit, one last time. We know we’ve alreadytalked to you about the things you need to pack for your emergency kit, but we thought this time we would share with you what one of the car experts have to say.

She doesn’t mention it in here and I’m not sure if we mentioned it, but it’s best to pack your items in some sort of water proof container. Lauren mentions a few things in her video that we didn’t share with you in our post which is another reason we want you to read our article and watch the video.

image used from Rallyway.com

How’s your car windows looking these days? Don’t you love having your vehicle’s windows clean? They look good, but more importantly having clean auto glass windows improve our visibility while we drive. How are you with knowing how to get the streaks that come from cleaning your windows yourself?

I’m going to share a post with you that I found on Rallyways.com that breaks down some good information about cleaning your car windows.

Should you use ammonia

There are many glass cleaning products available in the market which contain ammonia. Vehicle owners should avoid such products since ammonia does not bode well with common car surfaces such as rubber, leather, and vinyl. Ammonia fumes are dangerous and should not be inhaled in a closed environment. In addition, glass cleaners with ammonia compounds cannot be used to clean tinted windows – they pose a damage risk to the film itself.

Why microfiber towels

Microfiber towels can be used to clean even the most stubborn stains and produce great results. It is advisable to choose a microfiber towel with a tight weave as it would give you a better scrubbing capability. You should be wary of cheap microfiber products since most of them shed fibers easily. When cleaning car windows, dip one side of the towel in water and clean the glass. After you have finished cleaning, use the dry side and gently remove any signs of streaking. The majority of high-quality microfiber materials will eliminate any residual streaks. Again, this method is mainly for the outside of the glass. You must be much more gentle when cleaning the inside, especially if your car has tinted film.

Caring for your windshield wipers

Your car windshield wipers should be maintained in good working order. It is impossible to drive in rain, dust, or snow without them being in good working condition. Optimum performance is achieved if the rubber and glass are well-maintained. This means that wiper blades should be cleaned whenever you are cleaning the window glass. Never use rubber dressing on the wiper blades as this will only result in streaking. Use a dampened cloth to wipe the blades clean and remove any dirt formation. The best product which can prolong the life of your wiper blades is the 303 wiper treatment. Treating your wipers will ensure that the blade rubber hugs the glass eliminating the noise caused by dry blades. In addition, the use of good additives will enhance the dirt removing properties of your washer fluid. If you are worried by winter weather conditions, choose an additive with antifreeze protection.

Cleaning tinted windows

As mentioned earlier, extreme care should be taken when cleaning tinted car windows since the film scratches easily. Learning how to clean car windows properly takes patience and practice. It is also not wise to use ammonia-based glass cleaning products on tinted windows. Use a soft damp cloth to clean tinted glass. In place of products which contain ammonia, soapy water will work fine. You can also purchase spray foam glass cleaners to clean the tint material without streaking. Otherwise, there are plenty of ammonia-free glass cleaners on the market.

Proper Wipe Down Tips

You can have quality products and still fail in washing windows without streaks forming. It is important for car owners to use the right technique when cleaning. If you are using a spray, do not spray directly on the glass as most of it will be will be lost to the surrounding air. Instead, you should spray the cleaner on a towel and then proceed to wipe the windows using the towel. This should be done in a rhythmic and spreading motion to ensure that the entire glass surface comes into contact with the cleaner. After clearing all the dirty grime, use a microfiber towel to wipe the glass surface and remove any remaining dirt residue and streaks. Remember that while the windshield receives added attention, all other windows should also be cleaned thoroughly. If you usually smoke inside your car, regular window cleaning will clear the resultant haze. It is recommended to use a good quality soft cloth material instead of used rags which might be carrying dirt particles capable of scratching glass. A soft cloth will not leave any scratch marks on tint film material. During waxing, try to steer clear of the windows since any marks will result in a grimy appearance. However, some waxes actually work on glass – read the label for the recommendations for the product you are using.

How to clean water spots

After working tirelessly to clean your car, it is common for minor water spot contamination to occur during the week. These dirty water spots can ruin the shiny look that you toiled to perfect. Most of these contaminants which you pick while driving can be quite hard to remove with normal glass cleaners. The best way to clean glass with such spots is by using quality glass polish products. All you have to do is use a foam applicator and then finish off by buffing with a microfiber towel. Removing water spots every now and then will prevent noticeable etch marks from forming.

Make sure that you always carry out a close inspection of windows if your car is more than one year old. Dirt buildup normally occurs around the trim of your rear window and windshield. This dirt can be removed by scrubbing with an old toothbrush or using a detailing brush. Apply window cleaner to the brush and scrub gently along the trim edges to break off the caked-on grime. If you encounter stubborn gunk spots, use a sharp-edged instrument such as a razor blade. However, care should be taken not to scratch the glass or break the rubber seals.

Many of you may already have your Christmas trees home, but there’s a small portion of you who don’t. For those of you planning on buying a real tree, we wanted to share these tips from Cars.com about the proper way to get it home.

Get your Christmas tree netted before leaving the lot to make it more manageable, and if it’s going on the roof, the tree’s trunk should be pointed toward the car’s front end. Both of these tips will help reduce wind damage to the pine needles.

Make sure to select a tree that will either fit inside your car’s cargo area or, if you have a roof rack, on top of your roof properly. Also ensure that you have enough rope or cord to wrap around the tree and secure it to the roof rack or to the cargo hooks.

Place a tarp or blanket over the cargo area to protect the interior from loose needles. If you’re going to place the tree on the roof, place a tarp, plastic sheet or blanket between the tree and the roof rack to protect the roof from scratches.

If you are transporting a tree in a pickup truck, there could be hot spots in the truck bed — from the exhaust pipe, for example. This can damage the tree’s needles, so put something under it like an old blanket.

Before leaving the lot, give the tree a good tug to make sure it’s secure.

Drive slowly and avoid the highway, especially if you’re not used to hauling heavy objects on your car’s roof. They affect your vehicle’s center of gravity and emergency handling.

Don’t forget to keep your windshield clear and avoid debris!

Have questions about your windshield? Stop by Auto Glass Maxx today. We’ll love to help you.

Have a chip or crack in your auto glass? Poor driving conditions or even bad weather can damage your windshield with projectiles like rocks on the road, debris, or even hail. Whether the damage is on your windshield, rear or side window, Auto Glass Maxx can help.

We have certified technicians who can get the job done quickly, our auto glass service is built for your convenience.

Why Choose Auto Glass Maxx for Your Auto Glass Service?

We fix all types of auto glass (not just windshields)

Whether your auto glass damage is on your front or rear windshield, or even a side window, you can rely on Auto Glass Maxx. And if we can’t repair your windshield, you can be confident in our ability to replace your windshield.

You can save money

If you notice a chip on your glass and that chip fits under a dollar bill, get an auto glass repair as soon as possible before it cracks and needs replacing. Catch it early and a windshield repair could be all you need.

Depending on your insurance coverage, your windshield repair may be completely covered. We work with insurance companies, or you can pay for the service on your own.

We can come to you

We’re all about customer convenience. Our Mobile Glass Shops can travel to your home, office or any location that works for you. Our mobile auto glass services use the same precision technology that our repair shop use to ensure the highest quality repair or replacement anywhere.

You can visit us

If you’d prefer to stop by our shop to get your car glass repair or car window replacement you can do that too. Fill out the form below and we will get back with you.

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